Indian government announces special inquiry into gang-rape of student in Delhi

India's government ordered a special inquiry on Wednesday into the gang-rape
of a student in Delhi which sparked mass protests.

Indians hold a candle light vigil, praying for the quick recovery of the young victim of the recent brutal gang-rape in a bus in New DelhiPhoto: AP

By Telegraph Reporter

7:02PM GMT 26 Dec 2012

Finance Minister P. Chidambaram, who is also the government's top spokesman, said a retired judge, Usha Mehra, had agreed to head a commission of inquiry.

The inquiry would "identify the lapses if any on the part of the police, or another authority or person that contributed to the occurrence, and fix responsibility for the lapses or negligence", he said after a cabinet meeting.

Chidambaram also said a separate panel would examine existing legislation and "suggest changes in the laws in order to make punishment for such horrific crimes stiffer".

The panel will submit its report in 30 days, he added.

The Delhi gang-rape victim remains in a critical condition in hospital after suffering horrific injuries during her assault on a bus, which began when she and a male companion were picked up after a night out at the cinema.

"It is important to underscore sensitivity and restraint from all sides is called for," he said. "It is an emotive issue and an emotive issue evokes sentiments (but) at this point of time the overriding priority for all of us is to see that peace, tranquillity and calm is maintained."

The government has said it will consider introducing the death penalty for the worst attacks and promised to speed up the trial system.

Meanwhile, news of another gang-rape in rural Tamil Nadu, on Christmas Eve, again shone the spotlight on the frightening levels of violence against women.

In the attack, 10 men overpowered the male companion of a 20-year-old woman in the Cuddalore district and then attacked her.

"We arrested the 10 suspects on Tuesday and charged them with rape and also booked them under (tribal protection) laws because she was a tribal," district police chief A. Radhika told AFP by telephone from Cuddalore.

The officer said the woman was in stable condition in hospital under "basic medical treatment."